McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) Issues Earnings Results, Beats Expectations By $0.12 EPS

11 Feb 2026, 17:50 by Scott Moore · The Cerbat Gem

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD – Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The fast-food giant reported $3.12 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.00 by $0.12, Zacks reports. McDonald’s had a net margin of 32.04% and a negative return on equity of 280.89%.

McDonald’s Trading Down 0.8%

MCD stock traded down $2.64 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $323.33. The company had a trading volume of 4,451,148 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,256,912. The stock has a market cap of $230.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.59, a PEG ratio of 3.29 and a beta of 0.52. McDonald’s has a 52 week low of $283.47 and a 52 week high of $328.06. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $311.90 and its 200 day moving average price is $307.79.

McDonald’s Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 3rd will be paid a $1.86 dividend. This represents a $7.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 3rd. McDonald’s’s payout ratio is 63.48%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the company. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on McDonald’s from $322.00 to $325.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Piper Sandler reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $325.00 price target on shares of McDonald’s in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of McDonald’s from $358.00 to $372.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of McDonald’s in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Citigroup cut their price target on shares of McDonald’s from $381.00 to $375.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Fourteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $332.38.

Get Our Latest Analysis on MCD

Key Stories Impacting McDonald’s

Here are the key news stories impacting McDonald’s this week:

Positive Sentiment: Viral promotion — McNugget Caviar kits sold out quickly, briefly crashing McDonald’s sites and generating nationwide buzz that can boost brand visibility and short‑term traffic. McNugget Caviar website crash: What to know
Positive Sentiment: Value strategy may drive same‑store sales — McDonald’s Extra Value Meals and Snack Wraps are meant to attract price‑sensitive and higher‑income customers, which could support comp growth in the quarter. Value is the key to McDonald’s growth plans, but it’s creating tensions with some franchisees
Positive Sentiment: Board addition adds experience — Appointment of James D. Farley Jr. to the board is a governance positive that may be viewed favorably by investors. James D. Farley, Jr. Elected to McDonald’s Board of Directors
Neutral Sentiment: Earnings expectations are high — Prediction markets and previews suggest strong visitor growth could be priced in, so results that meet expectations may produce muted moves while a beat could push shares higher. McDonald’s Q4 Earnings Preview
Neutral Sentiment: International growth opportunities are longer‑term — Debates over competitiveness in markets like India vs. Yum! Brands are strategic and unlikely to swing the stock intraday. McDonald’s vs. Yum! Brands: Which Wins the Battle for India as US Growth Slows?
Negative Sentiment: Franchisee tensions — Some franchisees are resisting centralized value pricing, which could limit rollout effectiveness and margin management if disputes persist. Value is the key to McDonald’s growth plans, but it’s creating tensions with some franchisees
Negative Sentiment: Macro and health‑trend risks — Investors remain concerned about broader consumer weakness and the potential impact of GLP‑1 drugs on discretionary food spending, which has capped MCD’s year‑over‑year gains. McDonald’s is about to report earnings. Here’s what to expect
Negative Sentiment: Short‑term caution ahead of results — The stock is trading lower today as traders reduce risk going into the Q4 print; results and guidance will likely determine the next directional move. McDonald’s Stock Edges Lower Ahead Of Q4 Earnings

Insider Activity

In other McDonald’s news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 3,195 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $305.82, for a total transaction of $977,094.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 6,088 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,861,832.16. This represents a 34.42% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Ian Frederick Borden sold 17,134 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $310.00, for a total value of $5,311,540.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 26,353 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $8,169,430. The trade was a 39.40% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 34,634 shares of company stock worth $10,749,559 over the last ninety days. 0.25% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On McDonald’s

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Brighton Jones LLC raised its holdings in McDonald’s by 21.6% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 9,286 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $2,692,000 after acquiring an additional 1,649 shares during the last quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC boosted its stake in McDonald’s by 2.8% during the 4th quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC now owns 1,942 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $563,000 after purchasing an additional 52 shares during the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of McDonald’s by 11.4% in the 2nd quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 2,017 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $589,000 after purchasing an additional 206 shares in the last quarter. United Bank raised its stake in shares of McDonald’s by 6.0% in the second quarter. United Bank now owns 8,102 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $2,367,000 after purchasing an additional 459 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Schnieders Capital Management LLC. lifted its holdings in shares of McDonald’s by 2.5% during the second quarter. Schnieders Capital Management LLC. now owns 12,938 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $3,780,000 after purchasing an additional 312 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.29% of the company’s stock.

About McDonald’s

(Get Free Report)

McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE: MCD) is a global quick-service restaurant company best known for its hamburgers, French fries and breakfast offerings. The company develops, operates and franchises a system of restaurants that sell a range of food and beverage items, including signature products such as the Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, Chicken McNuggets, McCafé coffee beverages and a variety of salads, desserts and seasonal menu items. McDonald’s serves customers through company-operated restaurants and franchised locations, and it supports sales via dine-in, drive-thru, digital ordering platforms and third-party delivery partnerships.

Founded in 1940 by brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald as a single San Bernardino, California restaurant, the business was transformed into a franchising model after Ray Kroc joined in the mid-1950s and led the brand’s national and international expansion.